Thursday, July 11, 2013

In the News

A Vernon woman discovered that while on current probation conditions not to possess a cell phone, it’s not a good thing to bring a cell with her to the local RCMP detachment.

Nor is it a good idea to have drugs hidden on you.

On July 4, at around 7:15 p.m., a North Okanagan Traffic Services officer was trying to locate a 48 year old woman he had previous dealings with to issue her court documents associated to her driving while prohibited and drug-related charges.

“The officer had been given a new phone number to contact her at and what makes this case a bit unique is that she is on a court order not to possess any cell phone from her previous interaction with this officer,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.

The woman came to the detachment on her bike to pick up her documents. While there, the officer noticed her cell phone in her back pocket. She was arrested on a breach of condition for two different files,

and when she was in cells she was found to be in possession of five pre-packaged bags of cocaine, 0.66 total grams hidden on her person.

“While she was in custody, her phone received calls looking for drugs,” said Molendyk.

The woman was held in cells pending a court appearance on Monday.

Impaired friends get vehicles impounded

Morning Star Staff

It was back-to-back impaired driving arrests for police in Spallumcheen Monday.

At about 1:30 a.m. at the Otter Lake Road roundabout, a police officer checked a vehicle with a 37 year old female driver who showed signs of impairment.

“The driver blew a fail in the roadside screening device and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson.

The officer offered to take the woman home but he was informed that a friend was on the way to get her.

“About 10 minutes later, a vehicle approached the check stop and the officers spoke with the 47 year old woman driver,” said Molendyk.

“The driver told the officer she had come to pick up her friend who had just been stopped for being impaired. While the officer was speaking to the second driver, he noticed a strong odour of liquor on the breath of the second driver.”

The second driver was asked to provide breath samples in the screening device, and she also failed.

The second driver was also issued a 90-day IRP and both vehicles were impounded by officers for 30 days.

“Both drivers accepted a ride back to their residences by the officers this time,” said Molendyk